30 December 2013

These are a Few of My Favorite Things: 2013

Hey ladies! 2013 seems to have flitted by awful quickly in retrospect. Here's wishing for the best for everyone in 2014 - and a quick look back at some of my favorites from this past year:

1. Leopard pumps. Whoever said "leopard was a neutral" is right by my book.

houndstooth stripes

mint & camel

2. Scalloped dress. Kind of short, yes. But it's been an awful fun layering piece that doesn't wrinkle (bonus for the ironing-adverse)!

scalloped neon + scallops

3. Coated stone & gem stack necklaces. I've been living in these pieces.

l e

4. Quilted vest (this year's version). Everywhere. Over everything.

camel plaid

casual layers

 5. Simple color pairings. When two solids can make a right.

berry purple + green

6. Figure-skimming silhouette. I'm a woman and sometimes I know it.

blue floral peplum orange

7. Red bow pumps. Bright red with a bow and a walkable heel? Yes, please.

june's meadow checked floral

8. Fuchsia. My go-to color of the year.

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9. A basic tote (colorblocked version). Way too easy to load and grab for.

green leaves ruffle plaid

10. Rolled up skinny jeans. Pretty much the only way I can get away with wearing skinnies.

heart + soul lace stripes floral bomber

What have been your go-tos for 2013?

23 December 2013

Be Merry and Bright (and Giveaway Winners)

black + paisley black + paisley

Wishing you and yours the best for Christmas and New Year's, ladies. These pics were taken last week because today I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Nothing like bringing home an airborne pathogen to my most loved people in the world!

Have a wonderful time with your families and friends, remember that spending time with loved ones mean more than all the gifts in the world ... but there's something to be said for bundling up all together to go deal-hunting on the 26th isn't there?

black + paisley black + paisley

Jacket: J.Crew downtown field (worn here - sim, velveteen, pricey)
Dress: Asos collection quilted paisley (worn here - sim metallic, satin, B&W, cas)
Top: J.Crew tissue (worn here - factory version)
Belt: Limited (worn here - sim, pricey)
Tights: Anne Klein
Earrings: J.Crew crystal shimmer (sim, sim)
Bracelets: JCF chainlink (pave version) & F21 luxe faux pearl
Ring: F21 shooting star (worn here)
Shoes: Madewell film noir (worn here - sim, sim)
Clutch: Kate Spade rose avenue lacey (worn here - sim plain, lace, luxe)

black + paisley

black + paisley

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Thanks to all who entered my giveaway for a sterling silver infinity chain necklace from Blue Nile. The lucky lady drawn at random is Alice W. ! Alice, I'll be sending you an e-mail in a bit to get your mailing deets.

Also thanks to you who entered my giveaway for $100 to spend at JollyChic.com. The stylish gal who will have a few extra bucks to spend on her wardrobe is Olivia H.! Olivia, I'll be sending your e-mail on to the folks at JollyChic so you can claim you prize!

20 December 2013

Children's Play

green fair isle green fair isle

So I bought a sweater from the children's section of J.Crew, an act I had promised myself that I'd never do, regardless of retailer. For a gal who questions whether or not she should be stepping into a Forever 21, moving even further back on the age bracket may seem a bit ill-advised.

I mean, though technically I can fit into some big kids' clothes doesn't necessarily mean that I should be wearing big kids' clothes, right?

Pros? Kids clothing are usually more wallet-friendly. The sleeve length often fit better for a shortie like myself. And sometimes the styles are a bit more fun.

Cons: Kids clothing can be cut to fit strangely for an adult because - well, dur. The materials often don't feel as nice. And the styles sometimes are a bit too fun.

But I broke my own rule with this sweater because I thought the green pattern was lovely. And though the sleeves are a bit wide, I figure it just makes things easier overall for layering and the chunkier fit will keep me nice and toasty.

Do you ladies ever peruse or shop the kids section? Can you recommend any brand offering kid items for adult tastes? Actually, don't tell me. Actually, tell me.

green fair isle green fair isle

Sweater: Crewcuts fair isle in emerald (same in men's, sim darker)
Top: C.Wonder boy fit (worn here - sim flannel, sim)
Jeans: Banana Republic outlet (worn here - sim, deal, pricey)
Necklace: GroopDealz (the original, sim pink, blue)
Rings: F21 square set (worn here - sim)
Boots: Frye jane (worn here - sim, steal)

♥     ♥     ♥    

Last chance to enter my Blue Nile giveaway - ends tonight! (And a winner for the JollyChic.com giveaway will be announced in a few days - thanks to all who entered). 

green fair isle

18 December 2013

Not Guilty

casual layers casual layers

The great Christmas-New Year holiday countdown continues tick tock tick tock and though I'm done with my present purchasing, I have yet to wrap a single thing. Plus I plan to do some traveling over the next week or so and determining what to pack for three locations has been a bit of a mental challenge - don't even ask if it'll all fit yet, I haven't gotten that far!

One thing I do know is that as we inch closer and closer to next week, my mind slips further and further away from the capability to do anything productive at work (sorry, work). Granted I look forward to seeing family and friends and sharing in cozy warm togetherness, but I really like the idea of being off work for an extended period. At the same time that pretty much everyone else I know is off work - i.e., new projects and requests don't pile up in my absence and my last days off won't be riddled with worried thoughts of what am I going back to?

(Those of you who have to work between Christmas and New Year's, I feel for you. I've been there myself flying back on Christmas day so I can be at the office on the 26th and it isn't so awesome. However, the office shenanigans that ensue during that week of lackluster work can be awful fun ...)

I'll look forward to  fa la la-ing the chilly mornings away under the covers and guilt-free afternoons spent reading / sharing in good treats / or shoot, even staring off into the distance while I twiddle my thumbs if I feel like it. 'Tis the season!

casual layers casual layers

Vest: JCF (worn here - retail version, sim, plaid)
Shirt: F21 rustic chambray (or fake the look with this & this layered)
Top: H&M (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: Hawthorne Collection (worn here - doppelganger, sim round)
Bracelets: F21 (sim), Sage K and Co (the original), c/o Style Lately (sim)
Pants: Target (sim, steal)
Boots: Type Z (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Bag: Dooney & Bourke (worn here - sim croc, leather, sim)

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I'm giveaway-blessed right now - ENTER for a chance to win $100 to spend at JollyChic.com & for an opportunity to get a sterling silver infinity chain bracelet from Blue Nile! Both end soon!

casual layers

16 December 2013

Lavender Check & Blue Nile Giveaway

lavender

I may borderline look like I've donned a grape Kool-Aid-hued poncho, but I've got mad love for this sweater. It's all flowy and swingy. And it's purple, a color I don't wear nearly enough. Plus it provided a pretty backdrop for me to do some accessorizing with some old favorites and new gems, like this dainty bracelet from Blue Nile.

Blue Nile is a Seattle-based company founded in 1999 that is the world's largest online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry. There have a ton of beautiful precious metal jewelry priced at under $100 and are currently offering free FedEx shipping on all orders - just in time for Christmas!

As part of Blue Nile's current "Get One, Give One" holiday campaign, they have not only generously given me one of their sterling silver infinity chain bracelets, but one of you will have an opportunity to one as well! The bracelet will come in a beautiful gift box and tied with a ribbon - a little gift for yourself, or a little something extra for someone special!

lavender  lavender

Sweater: J.Crew merino swing (sim, deal)
Top: C.Wonder boy fit (sim flannel, sim)
Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here - sim, steal)
Necklace: J.Crew coated stone (worn here - sim black, sim, sim)
Bracelets: Groopdealz (sim, luxe), Tag Heuer, Sage K and Co (the original), c/o Blue Nile infinity chain
Ring: Tiffany & Co. (this year's version, same thinner)
Boots: Born taro (worn here - sim, suede, shearling-trimmed)
Bag: Coach flight in mirror metallic (worn here - same in wristlet, sim, sim)
Phone case: J.Crew (sim, steal)

lavender

blue nile  blue nile

Entering is super-simple - just be a follower of my blog! Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter and you can enter using just one of the options (or all four if you feel like it).

The contest is sponsored by Blue Nile and  is open to everyone worldwide. Entries will be accepted via Rafflecopter until Friday, December 20 at 11:59 p.m. A winner will be selected at random shortly after.


(Also, if there's something else at Blue Nile you've got your eye on, they've provided a discount code good for 10% off your order. Use BNHH10).

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Don't forget, there's still time to enter my giveaway for a $100 to spend at JollyChic.com!

13 December 2013

Berry Cool

berry  berry

This is what I wore last week when it was actually warm in the SE. This week? Well, I probably shouldn't complain considering most of the rest of the country is bundled up under several inches of snow or freezing rain, but having lived in the southern half of the States for the last few years has made me a little soft to cool weather.

So temps in the 40s this week which I know is not even that cold - except it is has me layering like crazy, turning the inside heat up, clasping mugs of hot tea, breaking out the fuzzy Uggs, sleeping in leggings, even trying wooly sweaters on my 50lb dog - hey, I'm not the only one that gets cold around here. What's got my vote right now for possible best invention ever? Electric blankets.

 Stay warm, ladies!

berry  berry

Blazer: Zara check (worn here - sim, sim)
Sweater: JCF charley (worn here - sim cashmere, embroidered)
Skirt: JCF double-serge (sim knit, steal)
Earrings: gift (sim)
Necklace: J.Crew gem stack (sim, sim)
Bracelets: J.Crew stud (steal), JCF leopard (sim darker, studded), F21 (part of a set)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson jaide (worn here - sim, studded)
Bag: Coach legacy flight (worn here - same in wristlet, sim)

♥     ♥     ♥    

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a $100 to spend at JollyChic.com!

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